Samsung Galaxy Camera Settings Guide

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera Settings

Seven quick steps to photos and video that look like they came from a real camera. Each one shows the exact screen to match.

Start the guide
Apple iPhone
18 Pro Max 18 Pro Duo 17 Pro Max 17 Pro 16 Pro Max 16 Pro 15 Pro Max 15 Pro
Samsung Galaxy
S26 Ultra S25 Ultra S24 Ultra S23 Ultra
Google Pixel
Pixel 10 Pro Pixel 9 Pro Pixel 8 Pro Pixel 7 Pro

Where you'll end up

  1. 12 or 24 MP every day
  2. Exposure at −0.3
  3. 1× as your default lens

Seven steps. One setup.

The settings that shape every photo and video, in the order to change them. Each step explains what it does and why it matters.

  1. PicturesNatural color, HEIF, and RAW in Pro mode
  2. Settings to keepMake the camera remember your setup
  3. CompositionComposition guide, tracking focus, and the volume shutter
  4. In the viewfinder12 MP, −0.3, and the 1× lens
  5. Video4K 60 for social, 24 fps for film
  6. The lookExposure and grading, side by side
  7. The lensesSix zoom stops, from 0.6× to 10×

Step 01

Natural color first. RAW when it counts.

Camera Settings

Samsung's default processing brightens and sharpens heavily. These rows keep photos natural and leave room to edit.

Scene optimizer
Off
Keeps color and contrast natural. Turn it back on if you like the punchier, AI-tuned look.
Photo enhancer
Prioritize quality
Takes a moment longer per shot for more detail and cleaner low light.
Photo format
HEIF
About half the size of JPEG, with the same detail.
Pro mode picture format
RAW and JPEG
Under Advanced picture options. Pro mode then saves a DNG beside every JPEG, for shots you plan to edit.

Intelligent features

Scene optimizer
Off
Photo enhancer
Prioritize quality
Shot suggestions
On

Advanced picture options

Photo format
High efficiency (HEIF)
Pro mode picture format
RAW and JPEG
What one photo costs. Approximate sizes. Keep 200 MP and RAW for the shots that need them.
Expert RAW 16-bit DNG
~100 MB
Full resolution 200 MP JPEG
~30 MB
HEIF 12 or 24 MP, recommended
~3 MB

Step 02

Make the camera remember.

Camera Settings Settings to keep

By default, Camera drops back to Photo mode and resets most choices when you close it. These switches keep what matters.

Camera mode
On
Reopens in the mode you used last, like Pro or Video.
Exposure
On
Your −0.3 bias stays set between sessions.
High picture resolutions
Off
Camera returns to the everyday resolution each time, so a 200 MP shot never sticks by accident.
Filters
Off
Start from a clean look each time.
Camera mode
On
Selfie angle
Off
Exposure
On
High picture resolutions
Off
Filters
Off
Super Steady
Off
Portrait zoom
On

Step 03

Frame it before you tap.

Camera Settings

Composition aids and a few switches that decide how the camera behaves.

Composition guide
On
A 3 × 3 grid for thirds and straight horizons.
Tracking auto-focus
On
Keeps focus on a moving subject once you tap it.
Shot suggestions
On
Shows a guide that helps you level and frame the shot.
Save selfies as previewed
Off
Selfies save unmirrored, the way others see you.

Selfies

Save selfies as previewed
Off

General

Tracking auto-focus
On
Composition guide
On
Location tags
Off
Shooting methods
Volume keys: Take pictures

Step 04

Take control in the viewfinder.

Camera app

A few habits in the Camera app matter more than any setting.

Resolution
12 or 24 MP
The pixel-binned default is cleaner in most light. Save 200 MP for bright scenes you'll crop.
Exposure
−0.3
Samsung meters bright. Nudge it down to keep skies and highlights. Pro mode shows EV next to ISO and Speed.
Lens
1×
The 200 MP main camera has the biggest sensor. Save 5× and 10× for good light.
Expert RAW
For big edits
Samsung's free Expert RAW app saves a 16-bit DNG with multi-frame processing. Get it from the Galaxy Store.
Side button
Double press
Opens Camera from any screen. Set it in Settings, Advanced features, Side button.

Step 05

4K 60 for social. 24 fps for film.

Camera Settings

Frame rate sets the feel. The switches below keep exposure and color steady from one shot to the next.

Video resolution
UHD 60
Tap the resolution chip in Video mode. 60 fps looks smooth on social; for a film look, use 24 fps in Pro video.
Auto FPS
Off
Keeps the frame rate you chose, even in low light.
Video stabilization
On
Steadier handheld clips. Super Steady crops in further for action.
High efficiency videos
On
HEVC files at a fraction of the size. Under Advanced video options.
HDR videos
On
Brighter highlights on HDR screens. Under Advanced video options.

Videos

Auto FPS
Off
Video stabilization
On

Advanced video options

High efficiency videos
On
High bitrate videos
Off
HDR videos
On
Log
Off

Leave Log off until you plan to grade.

The 180° rule. In Pro video, set Speed to about double the frame rate, like 1/50 s at 24 fps. In daylight, add an ND filter so the shutter can stay that slow.

  • 24 fps at 1/50 s

    A little motion blur in every frame. Movement reads as film.

  • 60 fps at 1/120 s

    Crisper frames and smooth motion. Right for social.

  • 24 fps at 1/2000 s

    Typical of auto exposure in bright sun. Each frame is frozen, so motion stutters.

Step 06

See the difference.

Two of the changes above, side by side. Both frames come from the same photo and are simulated, so the setting is the only variable.

The portrait with exposure lowered about 0.3 stops
The portrait at the camera's default exposure

Exposure −0.3 holds the highlights and deepens the blacks.

The portrait with a restrained grade
The portrait before grading

A light grade: a little more contrast, a little less saturation.

Filters
None
Start neutral and grade in Gallery or Lightroom, where you can undo it.
Editing
Preset first
Start from a preset, then adjust only exposure, highlights, shadows, and temperature.

Step 07

Six zoom stops, from 0.6× to 10×.

Four cameras and two sensor crops. The 200 MP main camera has the biggest sensor, which is why 1× is home.

  1. .6× 50 MP Ultra Wide, ƒ/1.9
  2. 1× 200 MP Main, ƒ/1.4
  3. 2× 12 MP Crop of Main
  4. 3× 10 MP Telephoto, ƒ/2.4
  5. 5× 50 MP Telephoto, ƒ/2.9
  6. 10× 12 MP Crop of 5×
Spaced by field of view. Solid dots are cameras, rings are 12 MP crops.
50MP Ultra Wide
0.6×, and macro
ƒ/1.9
200MP Wide
1×, with a 2× crop
ƒ/1.4
OIS
10MP 3× Telephoto
3× optical
ƒ/2.4
OIS
50MP 5× Telephoto
5× optical, with a 10× crop
ƒ/2.9
OIS

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra

What changed for cameras between generations

Feature S25 Ultra S26 Ultra
Chip Snapdragon 8 Elite Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Wide 200MP ƒ/1.7 200MP ƒ/1.4 Brighter
5× Telephoto 50MP ƒ/3.4 50MP ƒ/2.9 Brighter
Ultra Wide 50MP ƒ/1.9 50MP ƒ/1.9
3× Telephoto 10MP ƒ/2.4 10MP ƒ/2.4
APV codec — Yes New
Super Steady Yes Horizontal Lock New
8K Video 8K 30fps 8K 30fps
4K Slow-Mo 4K 120fps 4K 120fps
Software One UI 7 Android 16, One UI 8.5
Display 6.9" 6.9"
Worth the upgrade? The hardware change that matters for photos is light: ƒ/1.4 on the Wide and ƒ/2.9 on the 5×. APV and Horizontal Lock are the video reasons to switch. Ultra Wide and 3× stay the same. Shopping for one? See Galaxy S26 Ultra listings on Amazon.
Previous Generation Galaxy S25 Ultra Settings
→
Competitor Pixel 10 Pro Settings
→
Competitor iPhone 18 Pro Max Settings
→

Presets and Storage

Which format to use for each kind of clip, and how much of it fits.

Video presets

Use Case Resolution FPS Codec Notes
Social Media Best 4K 30 HEVC (H.265) HDR videos on
Maximum Detail 8K 30 HEVC or APV Large files; keep clips short
Color Grading 4K / 8K 24 / 30 APV or HEVC Log Camera settings → Video format. Grade it with a LUT from Envato Elements.
Slow Motion 4K 120 H.265 UHD slow motion; 4× at 30fps playback
Action / walking 4K 30 / 60 H.265 Super Steady + Horizontal Lock

What a minute of video costs

APV 4K at 30 fps, HQ
~6 GB
HEVC 8K at 30 fps
~600 MB
HEVC 4K at 60 fps, for social
~500 MB
HEVC 4K at 30 fps
~350 MB

How much fits

Format 256 GB 512 GB 1 TB
HEVC 4K at 60 fps ~8 hr ~16 hr ~32 hr
APV 4K at 30 fps ~40 min ~80 min ~2.7 hr
Times are approximate and leave room for Android. 8K clips run hot, so keep them short. APV is Samsung's pro codec for grading and fills storage about as fast as ProRes. For a graded look, start with a LUT from Envato Elements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best settings, key features, and what changed from the S25 Ultra.

What are the best camera settings for the Galaxy S26 Ultra?

In Camera settings: Scene optimizer off, Photo enhancer set to Prioritize quality, Photo format set to High efficiency (HEIF), and Pro mode picture format set to RAW and JPEG. Turn on Composition guide, keep Camera mode under Settings to keep, and leave Auto FPS off with Video stabilization on. Shoot at the default resolution with exposure around −0.3, and record UHD at 60 fps for social or 24 fps in Pro video for a film look.

What cameras does the Galaxy S26 Ultra have?

Four rear cameras: 200MP Wide at ƒ/1.4 with 2× optical-quality zoom, 50MP Ultra Wide at ƒ/1.9, 10MP 3× telephoto at ƒ/2.4, and 50MP 5× telephoto at ƒ/2.9 with 10× optical-quality zoom. Digital zoom reaches 100×. The front camera is 12MP at ƒ/2.2 with autofocus.

How do I shoot 200MP photos on the Galaxy S26 Ultra?

In Photo mode, tap Quick controls (the four dots), then Resolution, and choose 200MP on the 1× Wide camera. Use it in good light; Photo enhancer set to Prioritize quality is required for 24MP at 0.6–1.9× and 5–9.9×, otherwise those zooms save at 12MP.

How do I record Log or APV video on the S26 Ultra?

Open Camera, tap Quick controls, then Settings, then Video format. Turn on APV for the Ultra-only codec, and set Log to Video and Pro video modes. Footage looks flat so you can grade it; leave Log off for clips you share straight from the phone.

Can the Galaxy S26 Ultra record 8K and 4K 120fps?

Yes. Samsung lists 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps. APV on the Ultra also covers 8K at 24–30fps and UHD, FHD, or HD at 24–120fps. For most clips use 4K 30fps with High efficiency videos and HDR videos on.